Valve for respiratory devices



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VALVE FOR RESPIRATORY mavxcss Filed June 18, 1946. 2 sums-saw 2 iNVENTOR BHHDFUHD HULMES ORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1952 VALVE FOR RESPIRATORY DEVICES Bradford B. Holmes, New York, N. Y., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, Teterboro, N. 1.,

a corporation of Delaware Application June 18, 1946, Serial No. 677,598

8 Claims. (Cl. 25134) This invention relates to respiratory devices, and more particularly to a diluter valve for a demand regulator.

An object of my present invention is to provide a diluter valve for a demand regulator whereby the mixture ratio of a gas under pressure, as for example oxygen, and of a second gas, such as air, may be adjusted.

Another object of this invention is to provide a diluter valve for a demand regulator in which'a gas is entrained in a venturi by a second gas under pressure flowing therein from a jet or nozzle; the gas to be entrained entering through said diluter valve, the quantity of which is regulated by a spring biased, beveled plug therein.

' a further object of my invention is to provide a diluter valve for a demand regulator wherein the position occupied by the beveled plug in the inlet thereof is adjusted by a knob; the mixture ratio of the gases being predetermined and set as by detents for said knob to indicate and hold the same in one position for a particular mixture ratio;

Still another object of the invention is to provide a highly improved and compact diluter valve of the character described which shall be of simple operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, positive in action, which shall have a large variety of applications, and yet be prac-- tical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious, and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly con ists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described. and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention is shown,

Fig. .1 is a cross-sectional view with portions shown in elevation of a diluter valve incorporated into the body of a demand regulator.

Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing of a demand regulator and the improved diluter valve, illustrating the operation thereof, while Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the diluter valve knob.

Referring in detail to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawlet l3 and an outlet l4. The inlet I3 is adapted to be connected to a source of oxygen under pressure (not shown) while the outlet I4 is adapted to be connected by means of a hose line to a respiratory mask (not shown).

The cylindrical body l2 of the regulator is pro-,

vided with a bottom plate l4 and a top cover plate l5, said cover being provided with an opening I6. Fixed over the open end of the body portion l2 and under cover plate I5, is a diaphragm ll provided with a metal plate l8. Depending from said plate is a stud ill, to the lower end of which is pivoted a lever 20. The lever 20 is pivoted at its opposite end in a suitable manner (not shown) to the body l2 of the regulator. The lever 20 is provided with an abutment member 2| adapted to open and close a demand valve 22.

The demand valve 22 is located within the body of the demand regulator II and is placed in the oxygen pressure line. The valve comprises a chamber 23, a valve member 24 and a valve seat 25. The valve member 24 is adapted to abut the valve seat 25 due to the action oi a coil spring 26 and to be opened against the action of the spring 26 by reason of the abutment of lever 20 against a valve stem 21 fixed to said valve member.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the inlet I3 is connected to the demand valve 22 through a pressure reducing valve 28. The pressure reducing valve 28 comprises a chamber 29 within the body I2 of said regulator and has therein di posed a pressure responsive member 30. Fixed to said pressure responsive member is a stem 3|. Pivoted on stem 3| is a linkage system 32 for actuating a valve member 33. The valve member 33 is adapted to abut a valve seat 34 formed in the inlet line I3.

The pressure responsive member 30 is adapted to open the valve 34 at a predetermined pressure and to close the valve at a second predetermined higher pressure. Thus, the oxygen flowing through the inlet line i3 is permitted to enter the chamber 29 and cut oil when the pressure within the chamber 29 reaches the predetermined higher pressure.

In the use of the regulator, the inspiration of the mask wearer will lower the pressure within the regulator body l2. Due to the decrease in pressure, the diaphragm I! will collapse. pivoting the lever 20 in a counterclockwise direction. counterclockwise movements of the lever 20 will cause the valve stem 21 to move in a downward direction to open the demand valve 22. The oxygen will then be permitted to flow from the pressure reducing valve 29 through chamber 23 into a 3 line 36. The line 86 terminates in an injector nozzle 81. The stream of oxygen flowing from the injector nozzle 31 is directed into a venturi 38 percentages of oxygen added thereto.

To this end the diluter valve l embodying the present invention is incorporated into the bodv of the regulator. The diluter valve assembly 10 is inserted into the side of the regulator body I2, registering with a chamber 40 formed therein by walls 4| and 42. The valve assembly is fixed to said body as by a plate 43 fastened 'thereto in a suitable manner. A resilient gasket 44 placed between the plate 43 and the ends of the walls 4| and 42 seals the chamber 48 from outside pressures.

Fixed to the plate 43 by screws 46. is a cvlindrical, cup-shaped m mber 45; a resilient gasket 41 form ng a seal between the two members. The cylindrical member 45 is formed with an inwardly extending sleeve 46 concentric with said member. Said member is further provided with a valve seat 41 extending outwardly from the bottom of said member and concentric with thesleeve 46. Spring urged against said seat by a coil spring 48 is a valve 49. The outer end of the spring 48 abuts against a s ring retainer 50. said spring retain r comprising iour arms two of which are shown: the ends of which are retained in a peripheral groove 52 cut into the member 45 ad acent to the valve seat 41. The valve mechanism described will hereinafter be referred to as the check valve 49.

s idably received within the sle ve 46 is a plug 65 having a beveled portion 56 within the sleeve 46. a shoulder 51 provided with a sealing asket 58 ada ted to abut the end of the sleeve 46: and a spring shoulder .59. About said plug and the sleeve 46. and between the shoulder 59 and the cylindrical member 45. is a coil spring 69; said spring tendin to move the beveled portion of said plug out of the sleeve 46. The upper or outer end of said plug is formed with an annular recess 6|.

For the purposes hereinaft r appearing. the cylindrical member 45 is provided with a smal lon itudinally extended opening 65. Placed within said o ening is a small coil s ring 66 and a ball 61, said spring urg ng said ball in an outward direction. The cylindrical member 45 is further provided with a plurality of ports 68 which permit the air to enter the chamber 69 formed by said cylindrical member.

Fixed to the cylindrical member 45, as by rivets I0. is a plate II; said plate being formed with an opening I2 into which the ball 61 fits and is retained thereby. Swedged to the plate II are -four upright posts I5. three of which are shown in the drawings. Slidably mounted over the posts I5 is a spider I6 formed with three radially extending lugs II, one of which is indicated. The spider I6 is formed with an extended sleeve portion I8, said sleeve portion extending into the recess 6| oi. the plug 55. 4

Rotatably mounted on plate II is a setting knob 66, said knob being held in place on said plate by a clamping ring 81 fixed to the cylindrical member in a suitable manner. The clamping ring 8| is provided with openings 82 which register with the openings 68 in the cylindrical member 45. The setting knob 80 is provided with a knurled exterior surface 83 and a threaded interior surface 84, said interior surface comprising three square cut threads, each of said threads being adapted to coact with a lug II on the spider I I. Fixed to the top of the setting knob by screw 86 and nut 81, is an indicating dial 99; the markings of which are illustrated in Fig. 3. The bottom edge of the setting knob 88 resting on the plate II is provided with a plurality of detent openings 9|, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 1. In the present application five detent openings spaced about the perimeter oi the setting knob 86 are provided to give five setting positions for the knob 80.

The diluter valve assembly In illustrated in Fig. l is shown with the spider I8 in its lowermost position. The plug is in its lowermost position so that the gasket 58 of shoulder 51 abuts the end wall of the sleeve 46. The interior of the sleeve 46 is thus sealed from the chamber 69 formed within the cylindrical member 45. so that no air which enters through the ports 68 may enter the sleeve 46. Rotation of the setting knob 80 will cause the spider I6 to be moved away from the plug 55 by virtue of the engagement of the lugs 11 thereon with the threads 84 in said knob. The tension of spring 68 being relieved will move the plug 55 to open the end of the sleeve 46, permitting the air from chamber 69 to enter said sleeve. The air in sleeve 46 will then pass through the check valve 49 to enter the chamber 46 within the body of the regulator I I.

The chamber 40 is adjacent to the injector nozzle 31 of the regulator as illustrated in the schematic of Fig. 2. The velocity or the oxygen pas ing through said nozzle will entrain the air of chamber 40 in the venturi '38, mixing the two gases. The oxygen-air mixture is pulled out through the outlet l4 by the inspiration of the mask user. The check valve 49 prevents the expiration of the user, or oxygen, from entering the sleeve 46.

The mixture ratio of oxygen and air may be varied by varying the size of the openin between the beveled face 56 of the plug 55, and the sleeve 46. The rotation of the setting knob 80 will move the spider 16 along the posts I5 to permit the spring to move said plug away from the end of the sleeve 46. The detent openings previously described in the knob are set for a predetermined mixture ratio. In the instant application the setting knob 80 has been illustrated as having five positions. The position 20." or 20% added oxygen, is the first position of the knob 88. In this position the beveled face 56 of the plug 55 is completely withdrawn from the sleeve 46. The position indicated as 100," being oxygen, is illustrated in Fig. 1 with the sleeve 46 sealed against the air in chamber 69. The indicated percentages on the knob 80 will. when registering with an index 93 marked on plate 43, position the plug at intermediate points within the sleeve 46 between these two extremes.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a diluter valveassembly in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. While the foregoing description has been limited to the mixture of oxygen with air, it is obvious that other gases may be mixed in the manner and with the apparatus described.

As various possible'embodiments may be made of the above invention and as various changes may be made in the embodiment above set forth. it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A diluter valve comprising a chamber, at least one fluid entry port in the side walls of said chamber, a centrally disposed outlet port in the bottom wall of said chamber, a sleeve longitudinally fixed within said chamber and registering with the outlet port therein. a plurality of parallel posts, a spider slidably received on said posts, a setting knob rotatably mounted on said chamber and receiving said posts and spider, a threaded interior surface in said knob coacting with said spider to move said spider along said posts, a plu longitudinally disposed within said cylindrical member, a beveled surface at one end of said plug adapted to be received within said sleeve, and resilient means adapted to bias said plug away from said sleeve and against said spider, the rotation of said knob moving said spider and said plug to vary the opening between the beveled surface and said sleeve to control the fiuid flow through said sleeve.

2. A diluter valve comprising a chamber, at least one fluid entry port in the side walls of said chamber. a centrally disposed outlet port in the bottom wall of said chamber, a sleeve longitudinally fixed within said chamber and registering with the outlet port therein, a plurality of parallel posts, a spider slidably received 'on said posts, a setting knob rotatably mounted on said chamber and receiving said posts and spider, a threaded interior surface in said knob coacting with said spider to move said spider along said posts, a plug longi-v tudinally disposed within said chamber, a beveled surface at one end of said plug adapted to be received within said sleeve, a shoulder on said plug adapted to abut the end of said sleeve to seal the same, and resilient means adapted to bias said plug away from said sleeve and against said spider, the rotation of said knob moving said spider and said plug to vary the opening between the beveled surface and said sleeve to control the fluid flow through said sleeve.

3. A diluter valve comprising a cylindrical cupshaped member, a plurality of fluid entry ports in the side walls of said member, a centrally disposed opening in the bottom wall of said member. a sleeve longitudinally fixed within said member and registering with the centrally disposed opening therein, a plurality of parallel posts, a spider slidably received on said posts, a setting knob rotatably mounted with said member and receiving said posts and spider, a threaded interior surface in said knob coacting with said spider to move said spider along said posts, a plug longitudinally disposed within said cylindrical member, a beveled surface at one end of said plug adapted to be received within said sleeve, and resilient means adapted to bias said plug away from said sleeve and against said spider, the rotation of said knob moving said spider and said plug to vary the opening between the beveled surface and said sleeve for controlling the fluid fiow from said plurality of ports in said cylindrical cup-shaped member through said sleeve.

.4. A diluter valve comprising a cylindrical cupill shaped member provided with a-plurality of fluid entry ports in the side walls thereof and a centrally disposed opening in the bottom wall thereof, a sleeve longitudinally fixed within said member and registering with the centrally disposed opening therein, a plurality of parallel posts, a spider slidably received on said posts, a setting knob rotatably mounted with said member and receiving said posts and spider, a threaded interior surface in said knob coacting with said spider to move said spider along said posts, a plug longitudinally disposed within said cylindrical member, a beveled surface at one end f said plug adapted to be received within said sleeve, a shoulder on said plug adapted to abut the end of said sleeve to seal the same, and resilient means adapted to bias said plug away from said sleeve and against said spider, the rotation of said knob moving said spider and said plug against the action of said resilient means to vary the opening between the beveled surface and said sleeve for controlling the fluid flow from said plurality-of ports in said cylindrical cup-shaped member through said sleeve.

5. A diluter valve comprising a cylindrical cupshaped member provided with a plurality of fluid entry ports in the side walls thereof and a centrally disposed opening in the bottom wall thereof, a sleeve longitudinally fixed within said member and registering with the centrally disposed opening therein, a circular plate fixed to the open end of said member, an opening in said circular plate registering with the open end of said member, a plurality of parallel posts flxed to said plate, a spider slidably received on said posts, a setting knob rotatably mounted on said circular plate, receiving said posts and spider, a threaded interior surface in said knob coacting with said spider to move said spider alongsaid posts, a plug longitudinally disposed within said cylindrical member, a beveled surface at one end of said plug adapted .to be received within said sleeve, a shoulder on said plug adapted to abut the end of said sleeve to seal the same, and resilient means adapted to bias said plug away from said sleeve and against said spider, the rotation of said knob moving said spider and said plug against the action of said resilient means to vary the opening between the beveled surface and said sleeve for controlling the fluid flow from said plurality of ports in said cylindrical cu -shaped member through said sleeve.

6. A diluter valve comprising a cylindrical cupshaped member provided with a plurality of fluid entry ports in the side wal s thereof and a centrally disposed opening in the bottom wall thereof, a. sleeve lon it d nal v fix d within said member and registering with the centrally disposed opening therein, a circular plate fixed to the open end of said member, an opening in said circular plate registering with the open end of said member, a plurality of parallel posts fixed to said plate, a spider slidably received on said posts, a setting knob rotatably mounted on said circular plate, receiving said posts and spider, a threaded interior surface in said knob coacting with said spider to move said spider along said posts, a plurality of detents for said knob, a plug longitudinally disposed within said cylindrical member, a beveled surface at one end of said plug adapted to be received within said sleeve, a shoulder on said plug adapted to abut the end of said sleeve to seal the same. a second shoulder on said plug, and a coil spring placed about said plug and said sleeve between mass, is

the second shoulder on said plug and the bottom wall of said cylindrical cup-shaped member adapted to bias said plug away from said sleeve and against said spider, the rotation of said knob moving said spider and said plug against the action of said spring to vary the opening between the beveled surface and said sleeve for controlling the fluid flow from said plurality of ports in said cylindrical cup-shaped member through said sleeve.

7. A diluter valve comprising a chamber, at

- least one fluid inlet port fOr said chamber, a

fluid outlet port for said chamber, a sleeve fixed in said chamber and registering with said outlet port, a plurality of posts parallel with said sleeve, a spider slidably mounted on said posts, a beveled plug slidably receivable within said sleeve, resilient means tending to bias said plug out of said sleeve and into engagement with said spider, and means for moving said spider whereby said plug is moved against the action of said resilient means to position the same within said sleeve to vary the opening in said sleeve for controlling the fluid flow therethrough.

8. A diluter valve comprising a chamber, at least one fluid entry port for said chamber, a fluid outlet port for said chamber, a sleeve fixed in said chamber and registering with said outlet port, a plurality of posts parallel with said 8 sleeve, a spider slidable on said posts, a plug provided with a beveled surface thereon slidably received within said sleeve, a shoulder on said plug back of said beveled surface and adapted to abut the free end of said sleeve to close said outlet port. and resilient means tending to bias said plug beveled surface out of said sleeve and into engagement with said spider, said spider being movable on-said posts for moving said plus against the action of said resilient means to position said beveled surface within said sleeve to vary the opening between said surface and said sleeve, the opening of said sleeve decreasing as the beveled surface advances into said sleeve until said shoulder abuts the end of said sleeve to close the outlet port.

- BRADFORD B. HOLMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 369,062 Kersey Aug. 30, 1887 645,208 Mayer Mar. 13, 1900 1,747,359 Gibson Feb. 18, 1930 2,328,825 Bucknam Aug. 17, 1943 

